Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Sea Croissants

Sea Croissants, Lithographic print, 18x24

Lithography, Spring 2014

______Here is my first lithographic print! I began doodling some crescent-shaped worms in my sketchbook and quickly ended up with these delicate critters who are floating and bending in the atmosphere. I plan on working with them again, along with constructing some Sea Bagel buddies to abide them in their journeys. I think I'm going to create a whole family of underwater bakery brethren!

______I have really grand news about this: my printmaking teacher shined a bright light on my dull day by telling me she submitted it to a showing at the PaperWorks Gallery in Birmingham. She used her people skills to ensure that mine had a place in the show since I was diligent in and outside of class, whereas the rest of my class has been pretty laid-back and slow to start. She also said she'd gladly help me through an independent study in Lithography next Fall semester. That was a big honor since she usually tells people to go away when they want to do one. That means I would be able to make the independent study work around my own schedule opposed to attending to class at specific times. She straight up blurted out how my entire class was basically holding me back, but then said if I mentioned what she just said to anyone in the class that she would fiercely deny it.

______In my book o' life, there is really no larger compliment than one from a teacher, and I must say I feel as fuzzy as the fluffy cilia of my sea croissants.

______Some of you asked what Lithography is. It's a form of printmaking, but it's much more intensive than, say, woodblock or linocut printing where you carve into a block, slather it in ink, lay paper on top of it, and roll it through the press. It's based on the concept that oil and water repel each other... and that's all I'm going to say because describing the process would one) give you a case of the ultra yawns, and two) make you stare at me with wide eyes like I'm some kinda breakdancing rooster.

______But in a nutshell? It's sort of like ghosts. Lithography is totally just ghosts n' magic. And nitric acid, solvents and grease, and inky hands that whimsically perform all sorts of scientific wonders. It makes you smell like a hazardous auto shop and look like you've been attacked by tiny scooter wheels, but most importantly, it gives you a sense of pride when you're all done with it.

______Le end. Enjoy le sea croissants. But no eating them, for they are friends.

20 comments:

So after I leave this comment, I need to find out more about lithography. Aha, it sounds magical indeed! I'm just getting started in printmaking, and it's quite fun. We're starting our silkscreen prints this week :)Anyway, your sea croissants look quite delicious! Congrats on all your hard work paying off Ali, that is so awesome to hear!! :D

SEA BAKERY!? That is amazing and cannot wait to see the bagel critters... you could delve into sweets likes cakes too... but man, yeh I dunno... I kinda like the idea of savory sea water creatures. Pretzels? C'mon!!!

well now. I am always so happy to hear that your teachers straight up adore you and want to bend over backwards to help you launch the most successful art career in history. Love it. Congrats Ali, you are amazing.

Wow!! And it's such a good feeling to get those kinds of opportunities and praise from a professor! My realm is words and languages, not this kind of art, but I know exactly the kind of awesome it is to work with professors and find out what they really think of your work. How exciting!

Wow, Congratulations Ali, this is such wonderful news, I am so glad that your brilliant talents are not going unnoticed, all the best with the showing, I know this is just the starting of a long and successful art career for you. These designs are so beautifully intricate.

Ali, I can not even begin to tell you how amazingly talented you are!!!! This art work is so absolutely beautiful, and I am so glad that you are working to your potential and being recognized for it because you DESERVE IT!!! It's about time ;)

Thanks for visiting my page and for your thoughtful comments :) Your comments really are the best, Ali :) And I always look forward to them and am so happy when you drop by during my random updates :) I am so glad to hear that things are going so well for you and you are totally going to be the famous one some day so I hope you remember me too ;) I was actually really flattered when you said that you could see me in NYFW someday, because I have definitely dreamt of it and I hope to eventually make it happen!!!! Ah, someday haha.

I hope you have a fabulous weekend and keep being your incredible self!!

These are amazing, Ali! I love the concept behind lithographic prints -- the sciencey-ness behind it is super appealing to me. Ahh, congrats on the submission and landing the independent study -- what an amazing opportunity!

Wow, that looks amazing! You are such a talented artist, I'm always impressed by your work. It also sounds like a really hard process so kudos to you! That's amazing about what your teacher said, she must really like you, and think you're very gifted. I wish I was artsy like that but I think my sister sucked up all the art talent in the family. :)

You're amazing Ali. I don't know what in the sea croissants lithography is but this is amazing. Thanx for taking a little time to explain to us what lithography means in brief. What I'm most happy about is that is is a real honour for your teacher to notice your work and also give you so much credit on it. I think that itself would make anyone smile sunshines and laugh rainbows.

THE DWEEB BEHIND IT ALL

Hi there! My name is Ali, I'm 24, and I'm trying to come to terms with the fact that one day I'll confidently call myself an artist. I'm absolutely passionate about art, biking, and people-watching like a total creeper.